Ideas for log moving dolly

[fkfw]

I volunteer doing winter trail work at a local Boy Scout camp. The trails I work on are single-track trails for mountain biking. There are 26 switchback turns in the camp that are in need of repair. We split local redwood into quarters about 8 feet in length to build berms for the switchback turns. Moving the logs is a bear because there aren't many accessible roads nearby the trails to drop off the logs, so we have to hump them in... up to 3/4 mile sometimes. I'd like to build something like a single-wheel dolly to move the logs. Maybe there are two dollies - one at each end - so it's kinda like having a low wheelbarrow at each end of the log. That setup would allow two people to wheel the log on narrow trails and around corners, etc. Anyone build anything like this or have any thoughts about moving heavy logs...? Thanks.

 

[Mr.N]

Few pics from the web

 

[GaryM909]

These work well for moving pipe and should be easy to piece one together with the help of a welder.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002PAQ30E/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jim greengo]

Can you get a quad runner in there?

 

[WoodsTruck]

I'll go a different direction with this. I install research tests out in the woods and have to fence them to keep the deer and elk from browsing the trees. Used to pack everything by hand but labor is harder to come by so I looked for options.
Black bunk for hauling 10' fence posts, both wood or metal T-posts.
Green bunk for packing tree boxes, trays of trees.
Poly bin is on my personal Honda unit.
Chainsaw provision was a recent add since I had a project taking old fences out that required some intermittent cutting.
1000# payload on flat ground and 500# on slope.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

I made this light dolly for moving long power poles. The winch strap will lift and hold a single pole or a bundle of a few splits. For long poles I attach a trailer ball coupler with a couple lag screws to the pole and pull it with the PU or a four wheeler. On a tight trail one or two guys could move a few heavy sticks without them shifting around. Ed.

 

[jack stand]

The blue one Mr.N posted is from "Log Right". They built good stuff, all manual log handling tools at a firewood level using aluminum where possible to keep the weight down.
They do have a website.

Home

Welcome to the Official Home of LogRite Tools We are the originators of aluminum handled logging and woodworking tools. We are the innovators of a whole new class of ultra high quality logging tools. Our aluminum handled tools are stronger, lighter and safer to use than the traditional wood...

logrite.com

 

[velocipede]

You could have your scouts get creative with a couple of their old bikes and build something along these lines:

 

[Spareparts]

Get a couple of MULES, the Amish way,

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you have the horsepower, the simplest, cheapest solution for winter logging is a sled. The fastest way to make a sled is to invert the hood off of a subcompact car. Remove the latches and hinges. You might need something to attach the log to the hood.

 

[billconner]

I moved logs on my property with my canoe portage cart. Very easy.

 

[Firebrick43]

Get a couple of MULES, the Amish way,

Yea. Even a small horse can easily pull some decent size logs. I have pulled a lot with my Belgian and some with my halflingers.

They are significantly better than even a four wheeler as you can have them instantly turn 90 to the log, hold a spud bar in the dirt at the midpoint of the log and spin it on its axis (zero turn)

A single draft has the tractive effort of a 40 hp tractor for short burst. I embarrassed two 4wd trucks owners when my 2 horses easily pulled them from snow drifts in the 2010 blizzard we had here

A lady that goes to my church asked my wife if I was Amish as I had a beard and a straw hat plus drafts

Evidently she didn’t understand that it was a religious thing not that a staw cowboy hat was not the same thing.

 

[Garage Junkie]

This makes pulling logs through the woods easier:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004BT7SVA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Mr.N]

If you have the horsepower, the simplest, cheapest solution for winter logging is a sled.

Totally agree, and use a sled ever winter.
That said, I read location as 'Northern California' and figured snow was depended on elevation.

Now I would add a battery powered chain saw to drive the wheels. Also down hill is easier than uphill.

 

[jsaw]

Now I would add a battery powered chain saw to drive the wheels.

Interesting. How would You do that?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Yea. Even a small horse can easily pull some decent size logs. I have pulled a lot with my Belgian ...

Are you call a Belgian small !

 

[Firebrick43]

Are you call a Belgian small !

While she was not that big for a Belgian she was still big which is why I said she pulled a lot.

My much smaller Appaloosa horses which I have also pulled with as a team and single can pull a decent size log still.

Sadly the Belgian had to be put down two years ago and my sweet baby Appaloosa turned 25 and isn’t doing very well.

I talk to a neighbor with an excavator and he is coming over next week to place her next to her sister.

 

[larry_g]

Something like this work for you? Single wheel deer cart.

single wheel deer cart - Google Search

 

[fkfw]

The log dollies with the log suspended under a frame are the right idea, but are too wide. This is single track mountain bike trail and mostly less than two feet wide with rocks and roots.

A one wheel dolly would be difficult to control with 100-200 pounds onboard.

No, we cannot get a quad up these narrow trails. We can often get a quad to a a fire road within a half mile, but that's about it.

Mule or horse? It would take far less time to carry logs than get a mule or horse up these narrow and steep trails. Horses/mules require well trained handlers. We are a small group - no mule wranglers...

My latest idea is a short, two-wheeled cart with 16" tall wheels spaced about a foot apart. Log sits atop the cart and then two sets of "handlebars" are attached to either end of the logs to provide steering and control. Two people would "wheelbarrow" the log up or down the trail. Could even attach a mountain bike disc brake to the axle for nominal stopping/slowing power.

 

[bugnut]

I believe you just described log tongs and a kayak/canoe dolly. Less then a $100. via ebay/amazon.

 

[billconner]

The portage cart I showed allowed me to move 10' long 12" diameter logs by myself - just slightly off center log - and fits on portage trails just 2' wide.

 

[no704]

Honda trail 50 geared way down.

 

[bugnut]

Rokon Ranger for the powered option!

 

[2oolhound]

I had to move some heavy logs this spring along some trails. I used 1/4" x 1" x 16" steel strips that I bent around an old brake drum so it had the same curve as the log, one on each side. I welded a stub in the center the diameter of a motorcycle axle, stuck a MC wheel on it and threaded the end for a bolt to tighten the wheel down. The ends of the curved steel strips were turned up and drilled so I could cinch a ratchet strap to them and cinch them tight to the log. This way the MC wheels were strapped to the log near center and you could grab one end and pull the log along. You'd probably want a skinny handle on the end of the log for a 3/4 mile distance which could be nailed on for your purpose. Also in your case you could just nail the curved strips to the log with double head nails and then put the wheels on the stubs. No ratchet straps needed.

 

[PugetDude]

Single bicycle wheel, extended axle to support a log on each side. (For balance)
Strap them down, tie the other ends together so the don't spread apart during transit and away you go...push/pull

 

[BukitCase]

Guys, we seem to be forgetting that this is GJ -

About - Columbia Helicopters

Trust our 60+ years of heavy-lift helicopter experience. We build and maintain aircraft to support your critical missions.

www.colheli.com

Just a gentle reminder ... Steve

 

[PugetDude]

Guys, we seem to be forgetting that this is GJ -

About - Columbia Helicopters

Trust our 60+ years of heavy-lift helicopter experience. We build and maintain aircraft to support your critical missions.

www.colheli.com

Just a gentle reminder ... Steve

Does Snap-on make a helicopter?

 

[BukitCase]

"Does Snap-on make a helicopter?"

Probably, but only a Saudi sheik could afford one ... Steve